Receivables - Schedule of Finance and Contract Receivables on Nonaccrual Status (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance receivables	$ 9.3	$ 7.9
Contract receivables	$ 1.5	$ 1.5

Notes and loans receivable recorded investment non-accrual status.

No definition available.

Name:	sna_NotesAndLoansReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonAccrualStatus
Namespace Prefix:	sna_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant